Hampton University: A Legacy of Excellence and Education for Life

Hampton University, a private historically black research university located in Hampton, Virginia, stands as a beacon of education and empowerment. Founded in 1868, its origins trace back to the American Civil War and the urgent need to educate freedmen. From its humble beginnings as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, alongside online offerings and a satellite campus in Virginia Beach.

Historical Roots: From "Little Scotland" to Educational Pioneer

The university's story begins during the American Civil War (1861-1865), when Union-held Fortress Monroe became a sanctuary for fugitive slaves seeking freedom. General Benjamin F. Butler, the commander, declared them "contraband of war," preventing their return to slaveholders. The Grand Contraband Camp was established nearby to accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking refuge.

Hampton University's roots are deeply intertwined with Mary S. Peake, who in 1861 began teaching freedmen outdoors under the Emancipation Oak in Elizabeth City County. This landmark marks the spot where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the Confederate states in 1863. Following the war, in 1868, a formal normal school (teacher training school) was established, led by former Union brevet Brigadier General Samuel C. Armstrong (1839-1893). The school was built on the grounds of "Little Scotland," a former plantation overlooking Hampton Roads.

Like many historically black colleges, Hampton University received financial support from the American Missionary Association (AMA), church groups, and former Union Army officers and soldiers. General William Jackson Palmer, a Union cavalry commander from Philadelphia, was among the many Civil War veterans who contributed significantly to the school.

The Armstrong Era: Shaping a Unique Educational Philosophy

Samuel Chapman Armstrong, the first principal, played a pivotal role in shaping Hampton's educational philosophy. Inspired by his father's work in educating Polynesians in Hawaii, Armstrong aimed to provide practical skills to enable blacks to become self-sufficient in the South. The "Hampton-style education" combined cultural enrichment with moral and manual training.

Read also: Hampton University Tuition

By the end of its first decade, Hampton had admitted 927 students, with 277 graduates, most of whom became teachers. Many graduates acquired land, established homes, and engaged in farming and business. By 1888, over 600 graduates had been produced, with three-fourths teaching and half as many undergraduates also involved in teaching.

After Armstrong's death, Hampton's leaders continued to cultivate a strong external relations program, building a network of dedicated supporters.

Booker T. Washington: A Legacy of Leadership and Educational Innovation

Booker T. Washington, one of Hampton's most distinguished alumni, arrived in 1872 at the age of 16. He worked his way through Hampton and later taught there after attending Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C. Washington embraced Armstrong's philosophy and founded Tuskegee University, transforming it into a prominent institution. He gained national recognition as an educator, orator, and fundraiser.

Washington collaborated with Julius Rosenwald in the early 20th century to establish a model for rural black schools. The Rosenwald Fund matched community funds to build over 5,000 schools for rural black children, primarily in the South.

In 1888, Washington recruited his Hampton classmate Charles W. Greene to lead the Agriculture Department at Tuskegee. Greene's expertise led Washington to task him with creating a demonstration of black business capability and economic independence off-campus in Tuskegee. This project, known as Greenwood, was established in 1901 and comprised 4,000 lots of real estate, serving as a model for black-owned business and residential districts across the nation.

Read also: A Closer Look at Hampton's Campus

Expanding Horizons: Native American Education and Institutional Evolution

In 1878, Hampton established a formal education program for Native Americans, initially to accommodate men held as prisoners of war. Following the American Indian Wars in 1875, the United States Army sent seventy-two warriors from various tribes to imprisonment and exile in St. Augustine, Florida. These men were essentially hostages to encourage peace among their peoples in the West.

Richard Henry Pratt convinced seventeen of the younger men to enroll at Hampton Institute for further education. A total of seventy Native Americans, both men and women from various tribes, joined the first class. The program aimed to foster acceptance of black students by connecting to Virginia's First Families, who sometimes claimed Native American heritage through Pocahontas. However, the Native American program ended in 1923 due to growing controversy over racial mixing and employment challenges faced by Native American men educated alongside black students.

In 1930, Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute became Hampton Institute. The George P. Phenix School for all age groups opened in 1931, along with a new nurses' training school attached to the Dixie Hospital. Viktor Lowenfeld, an Austrian-American psychologist and art educator, joined the faculty in 1945 and eventually became chair of the Art Department. In 1951, Benjamin Leroy Wigfall, a 20-year-old student, became the youngest person to have a painting purchased by the Virginia Museum of the Fine Arts.

With the addition of departments and graduate programs, the institution officially became Hampton University in 1984.

Campus and Community: A Hub of History and Culture

Originally located in Elizabeth City County, Hampton University was long situated in the Town of Phoebus. In 1952, Phoebus and Elizabeth City County consolidated with the City of Hampton. The City of Hampton now incorporates the Emancipation Oak on its official seal, symbolizing the institution's historical significance.

Read also: Cost of Attending Hampton

From 1960 to 1970, Jerome H. Holland, a noted diplomat and educator, served as president.

The Hampton University Museum, founded in 1868, stands as the nation's oldest African-American museum. The campus also houses four libraries, including the William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library. The National Historic Landmark District is located northwest of the junction.

In 2023, nearly two-thirds of Hampton students were women, with approximately 97% identifying as Black and 20% as Virginia residents. A significant 68% of students received need-based financial aid. The Freddye T. Davy Honors College provides special learning opportunities to high-achieving undergraduates.

Athletics: A Legacy of Achievement and Sportsmanship

Hampton's sports teams, known as the Pirates, compete in NCAA Division I (FCS for football) in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), which they joined in 2022. In 2016, Hampton became the first and only HBCU to field a Division I men's lacrosse team.

In 2001, the Hampton basketball team achieved a historic upset in the NCAA tournament, defeating Iowa State 58-57. The "Lady Pirates" basketball team has also made multiple NCAA tournament appearances. In 1988, as a Division II school, the Lady Pirates won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship.

The Pirates football team has won multiple conference titles and has been ranked in the Division I FCS top 25 poll. The university's marching band, "The Marching Force," has performed at numerous notable events, including a Barack Obama Presidential Inauguration parade.

Prominent Alumni: Leaders and Pioneers

Hampton University has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields:

Booker T. Washington: Educator, author, orator, and founder of Tuskegee Institute.
Charles W. Greene: Leader in agriculture and business.
Robert S. Abbott: Attorney and founder of the Chicago Defender.
John H. Sengstacke: Newspaper publisher.
Luther H. Porter: Physician.
Ruth E. Carter: Costume designer.
Painter and art historian; founder of the International Review of African American Art; first black American female to earn a Ph.D.:
A. S. Barnes: Educator and civil rights activist.
Vanessa D. Gilmore: First Black female mayor of Houston, Texas.
Patrick A. Ekpe: Politician.
Henry E. Frye: Jurist and politician.
Robin R. Hayes: Politician.
Gregory M. Wesley: Business executive.
Katherine G. Johnson: NASA mathematician.
Mary W. Jackson: NASA engineer.
Flemmie Pansy Kittrell: Pioneer in nutrition and child development; first woman of color to earn a Ph.D.
Devin G. Walker: Dark matter researcher and theoretical particle physicist; first black American to earn a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from Dartmouth College.
James B. Morris Sr.: was a leader and a role model for his generation of African Americans living in Iowa. A graduate of Hampton Institute in Virginia, J.B. became one of the first African American officers during World War I through the Colored Officers Training Program at Fort Des Moines.

Challenges and Progress: Addressing Concerns and Looking Ahead

Hampton University has faced its share of challenges. In 2018, students protested to address concerns related to food quality, living conditions, and the handling of sexual assault complaints. In 2020, the School of Pharmacy lost accreditation due to compliance issues.

However, the university has also experienced significant progress. In July 2020, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million, the largest single gift in Hampton's history. William R. Harvey retired as the 12th president of Hampton University in June 2022 after 43 years of service and was succeeded by Darrell K. Williams.

The Hampton Sit-In: A Pivotal Moment in Civil Rights History

Hampton University played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. On February 10, 1960, Black students from the Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) staged a sit-in protest at the segregated F.W. Woolworth lunch counter in Hampton, marking Virginia's first lunch-counter sit-in demonstration.

This act of courage led to voter registration drives, economic boycotts, and picket lines. A historical marker on the Hampton University campus commemorates the students' involvement in this pivotal event.

tags: #Hampton #Morris #College #history #and #programs